Consider This from NPR: Holidays Shopping Brings Out the Scammers. Here's How to Stay Safe

Release Date: December 17, 2024

In this episode of NPR's "Consider This," host Mary Louise Kelly delves into the surge of scams that emerge during the holiday shopping season. With millions engaging in online purchases, scammers exploit the festive rush to steal personal and financial information. The episode offers real-life stories, expert insights, and practical tips to help listeners navigate the holiday shopping frenzy safely.

Real-Life Scams: When Trust Turns Costly

The episode opens with a scenario experienced by Peter O'Dowd, an editor at NPR's "Here and Now."

[00:00] Mary Louise Kelly: "Recently, Peter O'Dowd got this voicemail."

[00:03] Amelia (Scammer): "Hey, this is Amelia from Walmart. A pre-authorized purchase of PlayStation 5 with special edition and Pulse 3D headset is being ordered from your Walmart account for an amount of $919.45. To cancel your order or to connect with one of our customer support representatives, please press 1."

Unaware of his non-existent Walmart account, Peter correctly suspects the call is a scam, recognizing the voice as artificial intelligence.

Another poignant story is shared about Kelly Richmond Pope, a professor of forensic accounting at DePaul University, who fell victim to a concert ticket scam.

[01:19] Mary Louise Kelly: "For Kelly Richmond Pope, that one moment was a few years ago when Bruno Mars was appearing in her city."

[01:32] Kelly Richmond Pope: "So my cousin and I go to the Bruno Mars concert. We're super excited. We get in, go through the United Center door and we get a big X over the ticket."

[01:42] Kelly Richmond Pope: "And when I go back and I think what happened, the website that I got it off of, it did look a little bit different than the traditional looking Ticketmaster website. It's almost like if you got Taylor Swift or Beyoncé tickets front row for 100 bucks apiece. And that was how good of a deal this was."

Despite her expertise in fraud and forensic accounting, Kelly realized too late that the tickets were fake, highlighting that even professionals are not immune to scams.

Expert Insights: Understanding the Rise of Holiday Scams

George Abraham, CEO of ScamAdvisor.com and Managing Director of the Global Scam Alliance, provides a broader perspective on the prevalence of scams during the holidays.

[00:55] George Abraham: "Doesn't matter what your education level or how old you are, there's always one moment in your life that a scammer finds you at the right time with the right message to scam you."

The surge in holiday shopping naturally leads to an increase in scams, as scammers capitalize on the heightened spending and the emotional state of consumers during the festive season.

[04:25] Unknown Interviewer: "See scams rise around the holidays? Is that just simple math? More purchases means more scamming opportunities?"

[04:31] Kelly Richmond Pope: "Absolutely. I mean, we see an increased amount of spending and that really is the driving force behind why we see more scams during the holiday season."

Vulnerability Across All Demographics

The episode emphasizes that no demographic is immune to scamming tactics.

[04:45] Kelly Richmond Pope: "So here's the thing. Everybody, whether it's teenagers, whether it's young adults, the elderly, everyone is vulnerable because we are so in the holiday spirit. We're more trusting and we are just buying, buying, buying."

The festive spirit fosters a trusting environment, making individuals more susceptible to fraudulent schemes that appeal to their desire to give and receive during the holidays.

Protective Measures: Staying Safe During Holiday Shopping

Professor Kelly Richmond Pope shares actionable strategies to safeguard against scams:

1. Keep a Purchase Log:

   • [05:31] Kelly Richmond Pope: "I try to keep a list of everything that I've purchased in a certain week or a certain time period. So I make the purchase and then I pay attention to when should the package come."

   Maintaining a detailed record helps identify unauthorized orders or fraudulent notifications, enabling swift action if discrepancies arise.

2. Verify Website Authenticity:

   • [06:22] Kelly Richmond Pope: "There are some really good fake websites now, but you have to pay attention, pay attention to the tone of the website, pay attention even to the website address, because sometimes there's one character that's slightly different that would let you know that it's a fraudulent website."

   Scrutinizing URLs and website design can help distinguish legitimate sites from counterfeit ones designed to steal information.

3. Research Charities Thoroughly:

   • [06:22] Kelly Richmond Pope: "If I were wanting to make a donation, I would do some research on the charity to make sure it is a legitimate charity."

   Ensuring that donations go to reputable organizations prevents falling prey to fake charity scams.

4. Slow Down and Avoid Urgency:

   • [07:13] Kelly Richmond Pope: "Just slow down. Because one of the things that scammers really prey on is urgency. So they think, hey, you need to act fast or you're gonna miss out on this deal."

   Taking time to evaluate offers and avoiding hasty decisions can reduce the likelihood of being scammed.

5. Double-Check Unsolicited Messages:

   • [07:53] Kelly Richmond Pope: "Take a deep breath, read it a little bit closer before you click. If it seems suspicious, it probably is. Don't click."

   Being cautious with unsolicited communications can prevent inadvertent exposure to malicious links or requests.

Conclusion: Vigilance is Key

As the holiday shopping season intensifies, so does the ingenuity of scammers. "Consider This" underscores the importance of vigilance, education, and proactive measures to protect oneself from fraud. By understanding common tactics and implementing protective strategies, consumers can enjoy a safer and more joyful holiday season.

[08:03] Mary Louise Kelly: "Professor Kelly Richmond Pope is author of Fool Me Once Scam Stories and Secrets."

Stay informed and stay safe this holiday season by being aware of the risks and taking steps to protect your personal and financial information.